Primary results

Wednesday, May 20 — Many of yesterday’s primary elections are headed to runoffs on June 16, but the stunner of the night was former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeating six other candidates to win the Democratic nomination for governor outright. More primary results are below. 

⛅ Partly sunny with a high of 88° today. 

🚇 According to Atlanta News First, a person was struck by a MARTA train after jumping in front of it early this morning at the Garnett Station.

🛩️ The Atlanta City Council adopted a resolution yesterday to study the potential of privatizing security screening at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

💸 Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is scaling back a plan to funnel up to $10 billion to affordable housing through the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI), a plan that’s been under scrutiny for a year.

🎗️ Collin Maher, who started the Cocoa Classic 5K as a Boy Scout project – a fundraiser to supply shoes to students at underserved elementary schools – died at the age of 19.

ELSEWHERE

🗳️ Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein defeated Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s GOP primary, a high-profile win for President Donald Trump as he tries to oust Republican lawmakers who have criticized him.  🇨🇳 Days after a summit with President Donald Trump, Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing for a state visit, hailing their partnership as a force of “calm amid chaos” and jointly criticizing U.S. foreign policy.

⚖️ Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told senators he could not commit to barring payouts from President Donald Trump’s new $1.8 billion “weaponization” fund to people who assaulted police, including during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. 

🎾 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from both the French Open and Wimbledon due to a lingering wrist injury. 

💰 Minnesota became the first state to ban prediction market sites, or systems that let consumers place bets on the future outcomes of things like sports, elections, and more.

 PICTURE THIS: Residents and businesses at the Parkview on Peachtree complex in Chamblee, such as Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar and The Alden, are still dealing with the aftermath of a devastating fire on Mother’s Day. 

🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

• Primary results

• The Reset

• Squirrelly Norcross

AND 

• Concert Picks

🏫  Ben Franklin Academy is a learning community that activates mastery. How? By offering 47 AP and Honors level courses, individualized instruction and demonstrated proficiency with subject matter before moving on! And it’s not too late to enroll for next school year. At Ben Franklin Academy, the learning is built to last. Learn more here.  SPONSOR MESSAGE

1. Jones, Jackson advance to runoff; Winner will face Bottoms in November

🗳 Primary season rolls on as many races head to a June 16 runoff election. Read more about yesterday’s action in our live blog and see full results here. 

Here are the results from some notable races: 

Governor – Republican runoff

U.S. Senate – Republican runoff

  • Derek Dooley and Mike Collins advance to a runoff. 
  • The winner will face Jon Ossoff in November

Judicial Races

  • In State Supreme Court races, Warren and Brown retain seats, defeating Jordan and Rankin, respectively.
  • Incumbent Trent Brown beat Will Wooten for the Court of Appeals.
  • In Superior Court races, incumbent Craig Schwall lost to Janice Moore.

Lt. Governor – Two runoffs

  • Democrats Josh McLaurin and Nabilah Parkes advance to the runoff.
  • Republicans John Kennedy and Greg Dolezal will meet again on June 16.

Secretary of State – Two runoffs

  • Penny Brown Reynolds and Dana Barrett are headed to a runoff for the Democratic nomination.
  • Tim Flemming and Vernon Jones will meet in the Republican runoff.

State House and Senate

  • Esther Panitch, Betsy Holland, Beth Fuller, Stacey Evans, Rahim Asani, Juan Estrada advance to November in local House contests.
  • Kim Jackson and Saira Draper advance in Senate races.
  • Kevin Abel and Nathalie Kanani appear headed to a runoff.

Fulton County Commission

  • Robb Pitts and Mo Ivory appear headed for a runoff for Commission Chair.
  • Lee Morris and Jodi Merriday to meet again for the District 3 Democratic nomination.

➡ See more results on our website.

Amy Sherald: American Sublime 

SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM

🎨 You’ve seen Amy Sherald’s iconic portrait of Michelle Obama. Now, her largest exhibition to date comes to Atlanta, featuring rarely seen paintings and monumental portraits spanning nearly two decades.

Amy Sherald: American Sublime is now open, bringing one of the leading artists of her generation back to Georgia. Secure your tickets before it’s gone.

Can only make it in the evening? We’ve got you covered. The show stays open after hours every Friday. Grab a drink, snag an exclusive exhibition poster, and explore the galleries at your leisure.

➞ Get tickets here.

Photo by Lyndsey Schappe

2. The Reset

SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY

“The Reset by Rough Draft” is edited by Laura Scholz, one of Atlanta’s most respected lifestyle journalists. Send Laura tips and ideas via email. In June, The Reset will become a weekly newsletter with even more content, and you can subscribe here.

📖 Wellness and fitness centers in Metro Atlanta are becoming essential third spaces, providing community-centered programming that goes beyond traditional gyms. Many wellness centers now include events like sound baths, tarot readings, book clubs, and guest lectures meant to connect like-minded people. Read Laura’s feature story here.

🧠 May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health. Conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders are common and treatable, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

🧘♀️ The free EARTHSTRONG yoga series with Lululemon continues at Ponce City Market tonight (and every other Wednesday through Aug. 12). Bring a mat and head to The Yard for a 6:30 p.m. stretch and session led by Shelby Adina. Cool off with complimentary post-class drinks from Majestea.

🐞 Also tonight at 6:30 p.m., wind down with an all-levels yoga class at Oakhurst Garden, hosted by the Wylde Center in partnership with Sonic Yoga. The session includes instruction by Felipe Mejia and live soundscapes by Ben Davidow.

🏃🏼♀️ The Atlanta Track Club’s 2026 All-Comers Track & Field Meets, free and open to athletes of all ages, continue on May 26, June 2, and June 9 at Legacy Park track in Decatur. Register here for all events.

🏳️🌈 The Studio Pilates is offering an LGBTQ+-centered group reformer pilates class on May 24 at 2 p.m. at its West Midtown studio. Instructor Laura Caffrey will lead the 50-minute, all-levels class and all participants will receive free grippy socks. Join the waitlist here.

❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. 

Photo by Jacques Murphy

3. Norcross leaders and community members celebrate first batch of white squirrel statues 

🐿️ The public arts commission unveiled the first of five new statues as a part of its “White Squirrels of Norcross” project on May 14 at Norcross Gallery & Studios in the historic downtown district.

Mayor Craig Newton, a lifelong Norcross resident, said he’s seen the leucistic white squirrels around the city all his life. Newton, whose family moved to Gwinnett County in the early 1900s, said local folklore has it that the rare eastern gray squirrels are good luck.

The first phase of the project is underway, with sculptures already installed at four parks: Thrasher, Betty Mauldin, Lillian Webb, and Discovery Garden. A fifth sculpture, named Vincent, has been installed at Norcross Gallery & Studios on Carlyle Street, made possible through a private donation.

🤍 Learn more about the art project here.

❤️ Do you have a sentimental fur, stole, jacket, or coat collecting dust and not being worn? Restyle Your Fur is holding a fur recycling and mink restyling event at Magnolia Moon in Alpharetta City Center today and tomorrow, May 20 and 21. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Photo via roughdraftatlanta.com

4. Concert Picks 

Wed., May 20

🖼️ HeART Museum: A Jazz Gallery w/ Travis Hall @ Vinyl

💃 Kiesza + Rye Rye @ Terminal West

Thurs., May 21

⚡ JAY ELECTRONICA @ The Loft

😇 GODSMACK @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

⚔️ Culture Wars @ Terminal West

✨ Marisela @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Fri., May 22

🎻 Clejan @ The Masquerade

🦚 Diljit Dosanjh (pictured) @ State Farm Arena

🎷 Atlanta Jazz Festival Friday Night Kick Off Concert @ Atlanta Symphony Hall

🎖️ Citizen Soldier @ The Loft

🥀 Them Dirty Roses @ Vinyl

☕ An Acoustic Evening w/ Andy Browne + Friends @ Waller’s Coffee Shop

Sat., May 23

🎂 Georgia Symphony Orchestra 75th Anniversary Concert @ Atlanta Symphony Hall

🤘 The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

☎️ ELECTRIC CALLBOY @ Coca-Cola Roxy

🎶 Zain Zohaib @ Center Stage Theater

🎺 An Evening of Jazz: Boney James, Norman Brown, and Alex Bugnon @ Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre

Sun., May 24

🎙️ Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash ATL 2026: 30th Anniversary Concert @ State Farm Arena

🐺 Uncle Lucius @ Terminal West

🥶 Cold @ The Masquerade

Tues., May 26

🌃 Alex Isley @ Tabernacle

🎤 Concrete Boys @ Center Stage Theater

🌙 Teen Suicide @ The Masquerade

🏆 Triumph @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park

🪷 Sina Bathaie @ The Loft

Wed., May 27

💀 DEATH ANGEL @ The Masquerade

⛰️ Racing Mount Pleasant @ Terminal West

⌛ James Blake @ Tabernacle

🩸 bleood @ The Loft

❤️ Do you have a sentimental fur, stole, jacket, or coat collecting dust and not being worn? Restyle Your Fur is holding a fur recycling and mink restyling event at Magnolia Moon in Alpharetta City Center today and tomorrow, May 20 and 21. SPONSOR MESSAGE

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This report was compiled and written by Rough Draft Atlanta's staff.